I am thinking about purchasing The Mat, but I wanted to see if anyone has used it and if you like it/hate it. If anyone has any reviews on The Mat can you let me know pretty please!?!?!? 
There have been a couple of threads on CC about The Mat with mixed reviews. I have had mine for a month and all 4 of the cakes I have used it for turned out beautifuly. I love it and wouldn't cover a cake with fondant any other way. JMHO
I now love my Mat, although I hated it at first....there is a bit of a learning curve to it....just play with it and see what works for you. The main thing I found was to not use too much Crisco to season it. Apply a minimal amount of Crisco, and then wipe it off really well with paper towels..this solved the problem I originally had with it (pock marks)
HTH!
Ps
Check out Sweetwise's vids on YouTube
I found Sweetwise's You Tube videos really helpful, too.
I agree with cakegirl383 about the videos. I have the Mat and I continue to use it. It gets better with each use. In fact I plan on buying a second one soon. I want to see if I can use it to roll out cookie dough and other uses.
Here are some of the threads:
http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopicp-6979722-.html&sid=cb97dee00793ec15feb0b76a66d80374
http://cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=702425&sid=6a8b1b259aa460c33bbf462a379da83b
http://forum.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=697786&postdays=0&postorder=asc&&start=0
Does anyone know if the new one with the measurements is out yet. I emailed them but did not get a answer?
I emailed them the other day.
They said there were a few problems. The mat is so non-stick that they are having trouble finding the ink that will stick to it.
They are hoping to have it after the first of the year.
Does anyone know if "The Mat" is the same thing or same type of thing that Sharon Zambito uses in her DVD's?
Does anyone know if "The Mat" is the same thing or same type of thing that Sharon Zambito uses in her DVD's?
No. Sharon and most professional decorators use the blue Ateco silicone mat, 36x24 inches that's been around for years. The Mat is vinyl and it's relatively new.
Does anyone know if the new one with the measurements is out yet. I emailed them but did not get a answer?
The Mat is 2 sheets of 30x30 inch food safe "vinyl".
Rae
I saw the video on The Mat.
I had already been to JoAnn's fabric with my 50% off coupon purchased a yard of the clear tablecloth vinyl; I came home washed it, stored part of it as I was using it only to roll out on. After I saw the video I took the other half out of the closet seasoned it with crisco and started to use it like the Mat.
I love it. I spent $4.75 on it. I did a wedding cake and 27 centerpiece cakes using it. Fondant was smooth as silk. I wash it after I use it lay it on a clean bath towel and roll it up to keep it clean.
I have the Ateco mat and found it too heavy and unwieldy to use comfortably. I then went to vinyl from the fabric store; too lightweight and wrinkly, plus I had issues with its being food safe. I was delighted to see the mat on several of the above mentioned threads and after reading them and viewing the video, eagerly purchased one. I couldn't be happier. Heeding advice given, I very sparingly seasoned it with Crisco and wiped it off thoroughly. It works perfectly. An added advantage is the fact I needn't worry about dust or the fondant drying out. It gives me more working time and there isn't a problem with cleaning off the cornstarch or powdered sugar. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
I saw the video on The Mat.
I had already been to JoAnn's fabric with my 50% off coupon purchased a yard of the clear tablecloth vinyl; I came home washed it, stored part of it as I was using it only to roll out on. After I saw the video I took the other half out of the closet seasoned it with crisco and started to use it like the Mat.
I love it. I spent $4.75 on it. I did a wedding cake and 27 centerpiece cakes using it. Fondant was smooth as silk. I wash it after I use it lay it on a clean bath towel and roll it up to keep it clean.
Right.
The difference between your $4.75 investment and "The Mat" (at about $20 with shipping) is that the Mat was specifically developed to be FOOD SAFE.
The fabric store vinyl IS NOT FOOD SAFE.
It's comparing apples to plastic fruit.....
Rae
i know this thread is kinda old but i wanted to add my input...bought the mat and loved it the first time i used it. unfortunately as it has tiny bubbles indentions all over it that will NOT smooth out. i even tried rinsing it in hot water and rubbing the heck out of it with crisco and a cloth. i do not think that i will purchase another one to try again. just wanted to warn others that you must get every bubble out of it before rolling it up and storing it away. i had tried and tried to get all those bubbles out but i didn't know that it would leave a permanent ripple/indention in the vinyl. sad because i really liked having the two sides and how easy fondant rolled out as opposed to how hard it is to roll fondant out on the silicone mats. hth someone else
i know this thread is kinda old but i wanted to add my input...bought the mat and loved it the first time i used it. unfortunately as it has tiny bubbles indentions all over it that will NOT smooth out. i even tried rinsing it in hot water and rubbing the heck out of it with crisco and a cloth. i do not think that i will purchase another one to try again. just wanted to warn others that you must get every bubble out of it before rolling it up and storing it away. i had tried and tried to get all those bubbles out but i didn't know that it would leave a permanent ripple/indention in the vinyl. sad because i really liked having the two sides and how easy fondant rolled out as opposed to how hard it is to roll fondant out on the silicone mats. hth someone else
watch this video at about 5:14, but also the whole video is great!
I've had my MAT since it first advertised and I ABSOLUTELY Love it. I will never go back to rolling fondant the ye olde way. The trick is to clean it after every use and store it back in it's tube. I'm not sure why some others are having problems with theirs, but mine has never given me anything but smooth pliable fondant and I use MMF.
I've had my MAT since it first advertised and I ABSOLUTELY Love it. I will never go back to rolling fondant the ye olde way. The trick is to clean it after every use and store it back in it's tube. I'm not sure why some others are having problems with theirs, but mine has never given me anything but smooth pliable fondant and I use MMF.
yes, i did all that and watched the video many times before and after i purchased. i keep it in the mailing tube as well. i tried to get all the air bubbles out before i rolled it back up to put it back in the tube. no luck. i'm so happy that it's working out for many as it's definitely better than the old way. sucks to be me 
You should probably contact SweetWise and let them know of the problems that you're having and maybe they can offer a solution. Just don't give up on the MAT, it's a wonderful tool to have.
LOVE MINE! I added it to my christmas with list last year and i hope to never have to go back to covering a cake without it. Its soo much cleaner! No more nasty shortening or ps covering every surface in my kitchen! And if im using coloured fondant i dont have to be dusting my cake off after to get all the ps reminents off.
Since i just do this as a hobby I dont often cover larger than 10' cakes in fondant but i have had to in the past and had issues with fondant tearing when i was lifting it onto the cake and it was so stressful. I have done one larger cake with the mat and it was so easy and stress free. Other than some extra rolling, it was no different than covering a 8".
i also seem to NEVER start out with enough fondant and i love that I can add more and it doesnt show (just like in their video). Works like a charm.
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